Wallace Fard Muhammad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wallace Fard Muhammad
Nation of Islam portrait
Leader of the Nation of Islam
In office 1930–1934
Succeeded by	Elijah Muhammad
Personal details
Born	February 26 (reportedly), c. 1877
Died	Disappeared in 1934 (aged 56–57)
Occupation	Religious and political activist
a. Birth dates attributed to Fard include 1877, 1891, and 1893; the Nation of Islam celebrates February 26, 1877.

Wallace Fard, also known as Wallace Fard Muhammad or Master Fard Muhammad, was the person who started the Nation of Islam. He arrived in Detroit in 1930. His background was a bit mysterious, and he used several different names.

He taught a special kind of Islam to black people in Detroit. In 1934, he disappeared, and Elijah Muhammad took over as the leader of the Nation of Islam.

What He Taught and His Impact

Fard Muhammad went from door to door, sharing his religious ideas in Detroit. In just three years, his movement grew a lot. It had about 8,000 to 9,000 members in Detroit, Chicago, and other cities. By 2007, the Nation of Islam had an estimated 20,000 to 50,000 members.

Every year, the Nation of Islam holds an event called Saviour's Day. This event celebrates Master Fard's birthday. In 2020, about 14,000 people attended this special day.

Fard taught black people to be proud of themselves. He taught them about "black exceptionalism" (the idea that black people are special). This was during the Great Northward Migration. At that time, many old, unfair ideas about race were common. He encouraged his followers to start their own businesses. He also taught them to eat healthy and raise strong families.

He greatly influenced Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, and many other Black Nationalist thinkers. Some people had different ideas about Fard's true intentions. They thought he used his mystery and charm to get money from people. They also believed he used parts of other Muslim groups' ideas to fit his own views on race.

How His Movement Started

In 1938, a sociologist named Erdmann Doane Beynon wrote about Fard's followers. He interviewed them in Michigan. Beynon learned that Fard lived and taught in Detroit from 1930 to 1934. He visited the homes of black families who had recently moved to Detroit from the Southern countryside.

Fard started by selling silks door to door. He told people the silks came from their ancestors' homeland. He then offered to come back and teach them, along with their guests.

At first, Fard used the Bible as his main teaching book. This was because most of his listeners knew the Bible. As he gained more respect, he became bolder. He began to speak strongly against white people. He also started to challenge Bible teachings in ways that surprised his listeners.

Beynon's interviews showed that news of Fard's message spread quickly. More and more people came to the house meetings. Soon, they had to divide into groups and teach in shifts. Eventually, the community collected money and rented a hall. This hall became a temple for their meetings.

The Quran was soon introduced as the most important book for studying their faith. Fard also created special texts. His followers memorized these texts word for word.

Beynon mentioned some disagreements between the new community and the police. This was because the group did not want to send their children to public schools. These incidents, according to Beynon, led to some difficulties for the group.

Fard named his community the "Nation of Islam." As more people joined, he created a formal structure. He started the University of Islam. Here, school-aged children were taught instead of going to public schools. He also created the Moslem Girls' Training and General Civilization Class. In this class, women learned how to take care of their homes, clean, and cook. The men of the group were trained by captains and called the Fruit of Islam. The whole movement was led by a Minister of Islam.

According to Beynon, Fard's followers grew to about eight thousand. Beynon noted that Fard organized the movement so well. In his final months in Detroit, he was able to step back. He almost never appeared to his followers.

Fard used the name "W. F. Muhammad" on some lessons he wrote in 1933 and 1934. In 1933, he began signing his name "W. F. Muhammad." This stood for "Wallace Fard Muhammad."

The Mystery of Fard's Past

People have tried hard to find out more about Fard's life story. But they have only found small pieces of information. Even the exact date of his death is unknown. It's also difficult because Fard reportedly used many different names during his life. Only a few pictures of him are known to exist.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also tried to find out more about Fard. They looked into different names he might have used, including "Ford."

One theory is that Fard was the same person as Wallace Dodd Ford. This Wallace Dodd Ford was arrested in Los Angeles in 1918. He was also in San Quentin State Prison in 1926. Some evidence, like fingerprints and photos, suggests they might be the same person. If so, he might have met African American Muslim preachers in prison.

The FBI once sent a story to a newspaper. It claimed Fard was a "Turkish-born Nazi agent." It said he worked for Adolf Hitler in World War II. The story also said he met Elijah Muhammad in prison. There, they supposedly planned a way to get money from followers. Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X later criticized newspapers for printing this story without asking the Nation of Islam for their side.

The FBI later said they could not confirm Fard's birth date or place. They also said he was last heard from in 1934. The Nation of Islam does not agree that Fard and Ford are the same person.

Some researchers have other ideas about where Fard came from. One theory suggests he was from Pakistan. This is based on his connection to a Muslim group from Pakistan. Also, some names he used are common in Pakistan. People who met him also said he had features that looked Pakistani.

Other theories suggest he was from Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Afghanistan, or Greece. Some think he was part of the Moorish Science Temple of America. Others believe he was a Druze or a Shiite Muslim. The true story of his origins remains a mystery.

His Relationship with Elijah Muhammad

Elijah Muhammad led the Nation of Islam from 1934 to 1975. He first heard Fard teach in 1931. Elijah Muhammad said that he and Fard were always together between 1931 and 1934. He felt like he was "jailed almost" because they spent so much time together. Fard taught him day and night.

In one of his lessons, Fard mentioned that 25,000 people had joined in Detroit. He also spoke of a "Messenger" sent to the "Lost-Found Nation of Islam." This messenger would be "of their own." The Nation of Islam believes this "Messenger" is Elijah Muhammad.

Fard wrote that his community leaders should "copy the Answers of Lesson of Minister Elijah Muhammad." He explained that God sends prophets and apostles to guide people. He said that those who follow the apostle would "see the Light."

Fard wrote several lessons that Nation of Islam members read and memorize. Some lessons are questions Fard asked Elijah Muhammad. One lesson ends by saying it was "given by our Prophet, W.D. Fard." It contains 40 questions answered by Elijah Muhammad.

What He Believed

The Nation of Islam today believes that Fard's teaching of Elijah Muhammad was special. They see it as God teaching an Apostle. They describe Fard as "God in Person," the "Messiah," and the "Mahdi" (a special leader in Islam).

Part of Fard's teaching also showed admiration for Japan. He was connected to a group called the Pacific Movement of the Eastern World. He was also linked to Japanese activists like Satokata Takahashi. The FBI claimed that Takahashi had an important role in the Nation of Islam. He spoke as a guest at the Nation of Islam temples in Detroit and Chicago.

See also

In Spanish: Wallace Fard Muhammad para niños

• God complex
• List of people who have been considered deities